Study mode and exam mode are not interchangeable. One helps you build understanding question by question, and the other helps you prove you can hold that understanding under time pressure.
Use study mode when you need feedback fast
Study mode works best when you are still learning a topic, fixing repeated mistakes, or checking whether a new memory hook actually works.
Pause after each answer, read the rationale carefully, and compare the wrong choices before you move on. The point is not speed. The point is cleaner reasoning.
- Use study mode for your first pass through weak topics.
- Stop after misses and write a one-sentence takeaway.
- Switch only after your errors stop repeating for the same reason.
Use exam mode when you want a real pacing read
Exam mode should feel closer to test day. Let the timer run, avoid checking answers early, and finish the set before you review the score report.
This exposes stamina problems, rushing patterns, and second-guessing habits that do not show up when you pause after every question.
- Simulate the same timing rules you expect on the real exam whenever possible.
- Do not peek at explanations during the timed pass.
- Review misses only after the set is complete so the score reflects your independent performance.
Switch modes on purpose
A strong routine is to learn in study mode first, then confirm retention in exam mode. If your score drops under pressure, go back to study mode only for the objectives that broke down.
That cycle helps you keep practice honest. You are not just getting familiar with the questions. You are checking whether the reasoning still works when time matters.
Quick answers
When should I leave study mode and switch to exam mode?
Switch when you can explain the correct answer without the rationale and when your recent misses come more from pacing or attention than from true concept confusion.
Should I restart the timer on a retake?
Yes. A clean timer gives you honest pacing data for the new attempt and helps you compare one timed run against another.
What to do next
Run short study-mode batches to repair weak objectives, then retest those same objectives in a timed exam-mode block before you move on.